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Ensemble

 

The Cincinnati May Festival Chorus is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences for over 150 years. Founded in 1873, the chorus has become a beloved institution in the city of Cincinnati and beyond, known for its exceptional performances of choral masterpieces from across the centuries. The origins of the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus can be traced back to the city's German heritage. In the mid-19th century, Cincinnati was home to a large population of German immigrants, many of whom were passionate about music. In 1873, a group of these music lovers came together to form the May Festival Association, with the goal of promoting classical music in the city. The association's first event was a four-day festival of choral music, which featured performances by local choirs and visiting soloists. The success of the first May Festival inspired the association to form a permanent chorus, which would serve as the centerpiece of future festivals. The chorus was initially made up of 100 singers, both amateur and professional, and was led by conductor Theodore Thomas. Over the years, the chorus grew in size and reputation, attracting some of the finest singers in the country and collaborating with some of the most renowned conductors and composers of the day. One of the highlights of the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus's early years was its performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1878. This was the first time the symphony had been performed in the United States, and the chorus's rendition was widely praised for its power and beauty. The chorus continued to perform Beethoven's Ninth at every May Festival for the next 50 years, cementing its reputation as a cornerstone of the festival's repertoire. In the early 20th century, the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus continued to grow and evolve under the leadership of conductors such as Fritz Reiner and Eugene Goossens. The chorus's repertoire expanded to include works by contemporary composers such as Stravinsky and Bartok, as well as traditional choral favorites by Bach, Handel, and Mozart. One of the most memorable performances in the chorus's history took place in 1936, when it premiered Aaron Copland's "A Lincoln Portrait" at the May Festival. The piece, which features a narration of Lincoln's famous speeches set to music, was an instant hit and has since become a beloved part of the American choral canon. In the decades that followed, the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus continued to attract top talent and perform at the highest level. In 1962, the chorus was invited to perform at the White House for President John F. Kennedy, an honor that was repeated for Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon in the years that followed. In 1970, the chorus made history by becoming the first American choir to perform at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, one of the most prestigious classical music events in the world. The chorus's performance of Mahler's Eighth Symphony, conducted by James Levine, was a triumph and cemented its reputation as one of the finest choral ensembles in the world. In the years since, the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus has continued to push the boundaries of choral music, collaborating with contemporary composers and performing works that challenge both singers and audiences.

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